Vandenbrink GTO may see production
Many dedicated Ferrari fans have been less than satisfied with the designs rolling out of Maranello. (Taking the 612 Scaglietti as an example, we couldn't blame them, especially when compared to the sumptuous GTs of the past.) Some complain from the sidelines, while others refuse: One customer had design house Pininfarina re-body an Enzo to emulate the classic 330 P4. Another had Zagato rebody a 575 M Maranello on the inspiration of the unique 250 GTZ. Now a small Dutch design firm is announcing plans to build the Vandenbrink GTO.
While little information is available at this point, any Ferrari fan would recognize the sumptuous lines as a modern interpretation of the iconic early-sixties Ferrari 250 GTO. The designer is currently evaluating both the 575M and the new 599 GTB as possible chassis donors. Vandenbrink says they have received enough interest from potential customers to put the GTO into limited production, either as a one-off custom for one lucky customer, or potentially as a very limited edition of five.
No timeframe has been set at this point, as Vandenbrink tells us, "It's never good to rush any design, especially not an exclusive one-off like this." We couldn't agree more, though we're looking forward to providing updates as this exciting project takes shape. Even at this early stage, one thing is already clear: The days of custom coachbuilt Ferraris are coming back, and coming back strong. Stay tuned.
(Follow the jump for more pics of the Vandenbrink GTO from various angles and in a number of color schemes)
[Source: Vandenbrink Design]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Paqza 11:35AM (9/25/2006)
What's up with the three holes in the front?
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mk 10:09AM (9/25/2006)
Amazing. No one produces sports cars that look this cool anymore.
Although one does come to mind, and it seems like this is a directly influenced design from another car, that is going into production...
The Alfa 8C competizione. (please excuse possible misspelling...)
This car looks like it could be a re-body of the 8C, with ferrari tones, instead of alfa, and theoretically a V12, rather than the Maser/Ferrari V8.
Just a couple tweeks suggested: simplify the grille. Oval egg-crate grille is fine. the ducts on each side are a little much. The grey intake detail behind the side window is a little odd... why is it there, and if it must be, why is it not the full height of the glass, down to the door line.
And some wheels that look like a Ferrari, rather than a vauxhall, might be more fitting... although not the 599's wheels. Maybe something like the BBS F360 Challenge wheels...
the curves are hot, the fender gills, rear end, hood intakes (will come with DZUS fastened covers?) and the design in general are amazing.
I could see this being a popular re-body on the 599 Fiorano, or even on the 8C's chassis, with the 599's V12 and transaxle installed.
Certainly better looking than most sports cars at any price. The 599 doesn't make that claim. Too bad most mere mortals will never see one in the real world, let alone afford anything that even looks like it.
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J P 10:22AM (9/25/2006)
this is infinitely better looking than the 599. the rear end especially is very tastefully done and this is what ferrari should be doing in the first place.
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BOB 2:19PM (9/26/2006)
HEY --why not add a few more openings to the front end-- LOL???? Looks like the main character of a Japanese dinosaur movie. BUT-- actually, not bad overall. sort of Italian Camaro, for those (unlike me) who think recent Ferraris are too grown up looking.
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Stumpy 11:23AM (9/25/2006)
I agree with #1 mk.
It does look very much like the 8C. Though still can't take away from that original front end and very clean bodylines.
That is a beatiful car. I'll take mine in read with the grey nose.
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All World Automotive 11:58AM (9/25/2006)
Sweet car!
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cars 12:05PM (9/25/2006)
I think this will be the most sexy car in production
http://www.auto-power-girl.com/
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julian 12:18PM (9/25/2006)
sweet...the rear bulge of the wheelarches is just sex on wheels
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Jason 12:33PM (9/25/2006)
That car is gorgeous. Such a classic look. Very Daytona esque.
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Tal D 12:41PM (9/25/2006)
Agree with #8...the rear panels are a tremendous styling attribute ....to me they look like the rear "haunches" of a purebred race horse..a strong powerful appearance...and the three front ports..nostrils to breathe huge volumes of air...another dream car that would look nice on Route 66.
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Jim 1:48PM (9/25/2006)
Yes the current Ferrari's are a bit boring to look at. But mostly because they have trapped themselves into repeating the design cues of the 60's. These rebodies are simply doing the same but better.
So nice yes, but still boring.
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TrueDis 2:05PM (9/25/2006)
Not sure what the beef is with the 599 and 612, I'd say they're the most beautiful cars Ferrari has ever produced, but that's just me.
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GeneT 2:43PM (9/25/2006)
Very nice. However, agree with MK re: too much activity around basic grill opening and weird intake behind side glass.
As for theALFA 8C, leave that one alone--it's absolutely gorgeous the way it is.
Too bad the Vandenbrink will be way beyond most of our budgets.
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DPC car videos 3:07PM (9/25/2006)
Love the black one with red stripe.
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D 6:27PM (9/25/2006)
The logo looks a bit like a Maybach logo... but otherwise, nice car.
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mk 6:40PM (9/25/2006)
This is supposed to be a rekindling of the Ferrari 250GTO
The 250 GTO was their top end 250 line car, it had a light alloy two-seat streamlined coupe body.
The three D-shaped intakes were a trademark on that car, and that is why they are present on this one. The original had optional caps over those intakes, to vary the amount of air entering under the hood, into the V12's velocity stacks.
The roof line on this car, especially around the windsheild and A-pillar looks to be lifted directly from the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, with the rear being elongated, and the front end also stretched, and made to look like the original 250 GTO.
This could easily be an additional design on top of the 8C's chassis, with the ferrari-replica body, and a new 6 liter Ferrari V12 from the 599 (the best part of the 599, IMHO) It would not supplant the 8C, but rather step up from it, with a longer body, and 12 cylinders.
It could also possibly be built from the 575 or 599's chassis, or a completely new chassis. The illustration just bares resemblence from the windsheild rearward to the 8C. Nothing more than an observation.
But given the choice, between this GTO replica or a 599, there is no contest. The 599 doesn't only look worse, it looks disjointed. From teh front air dam to the fender vents, to the flying butresses, to the soft-line rear view, and single pair of tail lights. I think the 575 was a more cohesive design than the 599, despite the 599's technical advancement, and Enzo-derived engine. I am not sure who is designing at pininfarina, but they have lost their delicate touch, after the F430, which is a great improvement on the 360. 612 is odd, 599 is worse.
Personally, this rendition of the 250GTO is more flattering to the original car than the pininfarina-commisioned one-off P4/5 replica is to it's object of homage.
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JON 6:53PM (9/25/2006)
This car is a stand alone beauty.If a major manufacturer bought this design and Put a body like this on a affordable donor chassis and you'd have made auto history.
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JON 9:06PM (9/25/2006)
I'd love to see what this company would do with an entry level Jaguar roadster design.There's some great design heritage there.The English used to own that segment once upon a time.
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Bud the Stud 2:53AM (9/26/2006)
I wanna like it...but I still see a 612 in those photoshop works.
Ferrari has definitely let itself go. The 365 GTC was the last of the fine classic Ferraris.
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dmferrariman 8:29PM (3/08/2007)
This car in sick! Maybe not as beutiful as the original GTO, but more sporty and definately cheaper. (Well, it would probably be if it came into production) wonder how fast it would go.
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